“They’ve taken everything we had! And not just from us, but from our father’s father, and our father’s father’s father’s father! And what have they ever given us in return?”
If you’ve ever watched Monty Python’s classic sketch What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?, you’ll remember the scene: a band of rebels railing against Roman rule, much like anyone who’s ever muttered under their breath about their AMS.
Then comes the punchline: “Well, the aqueducts.”
“Oh yes, the aqueducts. And sanitation—remember what the city used to be like? And the roads. Well, obviously the roads, that goes without saying…”
One by one, the list grows until you realize—begrudgingly—the Romans actually did quite a lot.
And here’s the twist: the same goes for our trusty AMS.
So, what has your AMS ever done for you? (Go ahead, say it in your best Monty Python voice—we’ll wait.)
If you haven’t seen the sketch yet, you may want to click play before diving further in. Otherwise, you might think we’ve finally gone round the bend.
Well, Membership.
Oh yes, they did give us that…
Not just subscriptions. Not just products. Membership.
Your members aren’t Netflix users. They’re individuals, chapters, organizations, and sometimes entire hierarchies of companies with national and local branches. An AMS is built for this complexity. CRMs? They can usually mimic it—after you’ve poured time, budget, and a lot of customization into them. With an AMS, membership isn’t an awkward add-on. It’s the foundation.
And Committees…
Remember what managing committees used to be like?
You can probably build groups in a CRM. But what about committees, subcommittees, and officer roles, terms and histories? What about the unique structures that associations rely on? AMS platforms were designed with those in mind. They don’t just manage who’s “in the group”—they understand how associations actually work.
And Transactions & Finance.
Well, obviously finance, that goes without saying.
Here’s a big one: money. An AMS isn’t just storing data—it’s built to process dues, event registrations, course sales, and donations. It knows what to do with a refund, how to defer revenue until an event or over the course of membership, and how to act like an accounts receivable module. Meanwhile, some CRMs still can’t process a simple online donation without outside help.
Oh, Right, Event Registration.
Well, alright fair enough that too.
Sure, you could use Eventbrite. But why pay extra when your AMS already comes with registration functionality? For your biggest conference you might need specialized tools, but for most events—from webinars to regional gatherings—your AMS has you covered.
And Integrations!
That’s something we’d really miss if we didn’t have an AMS.
Associations rely on more than one tool. A good AMS is designed to integrate with Learning Management Systems, event apps, and certification platforms. Not all third-party systems speak “AMS” fluently, but when you get the right pairing, you avoid a world of headaches.
Don’t Forget About Maintenance.
Well yes, that too…
Not every association has a full IT department (and even if you do, they’re usually stretched thin). With an AMS, someone else is handling updates, upgrades, and behind-the-scenes tech. For many associations, that peace of mind is priceless.
So, apart from membership, members, committees, transactions, finance, events, integrations, and maintenance…
What has an AMS ever done for you?
Oh, right. Websites. Some AMS platforms even make managing your website a breeze—no code required.
Our Take?
We’re not saying every association must use an AMS. But AMS platforms have endured for a reason, and are being reinvested in by digital-first, forward thinking vendors. For many associations—especially smaller ones—they’re not outdated relics. They’re dependable, purpose-built systems that support the very things that make associations unique.
At Ellipsis Partners, we don’t start with a solution in mind. We start with your needs. Then we bring you a range of thoughtful options—AMS, CRM, or otherwise—along with the trade-offs of each. That way, you can make the decision that’s right for your members and your mission.
